Panama Rocks is one of the state’s many glamping sites

PANAMA, NY — Whether you’ve been camping for years or aren’t the type to sleep in a tent in the woods, there’s a growing interest in enhancing the popular outdoor experience with some of the conveniences of home.

With a crackling fire under the warm evening sky, Jennifer Downor celebrates her birthday with her daughter Addison and sister Shannon Yovich.

“It’s exciting for me to spend time with my family and experience new things,” Jennifer said.

Like glamping, glamorous camping in the woods at Panama Rocks in Chautauqua County includes a furnished canvas tent and electricity, a far cry from the days of camping in the past.

“Usually we have a tent, a canopy, air mattresses, this is not normal,” Jennifer said.

“I was excited to come and have a different experience. And since there were no facilities, the beds were there, there were no air mattresses or leaky tents, I just had to try it,” Shannon said.

“I thought, ‘This is hip, this is cool.’ But it was really nice to come here and get away for the weekend and see that all the amenities are really great,” Addison said.

Like a kitchen area on the grounds where Jennifer can cook her breakfast casserole that she prepared on site, then plugged in overnight to keep warm.

Part of the overall landscape of the glamping site, a dream and a project in the making for ten years, on a property that has been in the family of owner and operator Jonathan Weston for decades.

“Camping in comfort. Comfort in nature. So it’s great to be able to offer that and provide that experience for our guests,” said Weston, owner of Panama Rocks.

It’s an experiment that continues to grow into a billion-dollar industry across the state and country, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I truly believe that almost everyone wants to spend time in nature and enjoy it. People just don’t want to sleep on hard ground. They want to be comfortable,” Weston said.

Like Jennifer and her family, who, once they woke up in the morning, were able to sit down and enjoy their slow cooker breakfast, before heading out on a hike up the half-mile ridge of rocks and trails with caves, crevices and passages to explore.

“Very unique, different. Different rocks, for sure,” Jennifer said.

It all adds up to a different experience that Jennifer is happy to share with her family.

“Because I never get to spend time with her, so it’s nice to hang out and hike, explore, have new adventures,” Jennifer said.

And if glamping and climbing aren’t enough, visitors can also try their hand at axe throwing.